Kylian Mbappé converted a late, controversial penalty kick against Newcastle on Tuesday, affecting Milan too, as the Rossoneri could have hoped for a draw between the Ligue 1 giants and Borussia in two weeks.
Newcastle felt robbed in Paris last night as the hosts were given a late penalty kick, eventually converted by Mbappé for a Tino Livramento’s handball inside the box. Replays, however, showed the ball seemingly touching the 21-year-old’s body before bouncing onto his arm, so Newcastle players and fans felt the penalty should have not been given.
Referee Szymon Marciniak was urged at the pitchside monitor by VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who has now been suspended by UEFA and won’t oversee VAR in tonight’s Champions League fixture between Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg.
PSG’s late goal from the spot affected Milan too, as the Rossoneri would have had more chances to qualify for the Round of 16 if the penalty had not been given or if Mbappé hadn’t scored.
With a Newcastle win in Paris, the Rossoneri would have had five points in Group F, one below PSG and two below Newcastle. They would have still needed to win at St. James’ Park in two weeks, but hoping PSG wouldn’t win away at Borussia Dortmund.
In other words, a Milan victory away at Newcastle and a draw between Borussia and PSG, or the Germans’ win, would have been enough for Milan to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. Under the current scenario, Milan must win in Newcastle and hope Borussia beat the Ligue 1 giants, making the Rossoneri’s task nearly impossible.